Name

Question 1

Write your answer here.

Instance 1:

Deborah Linton’s words that MBA act like they know a lot more than they do and that the
only way to learn is on the job and formal education won’t help in any way.

Also, Linton told Lisa to get to know her way around and that in couple of weeks, they would
sit down and work out the objectives. However, she never showed consideration regarding the
trainings for Benton which made her feel disappointed.

Instance 2:

Scoville mentioned that he was not impressed by MBA graduates especially from Harvard. On
Day 1, after 4o’clock, when she approached him for work, he piled her up with a large stack of
reports to copy eventually causing her to stay late even when everyone else had left by
5.30pm. This made her feel ambivalent.

Question 2

Write your answer for Part A here.

Trait Level: High/Low Example supporting the answer

Openness to Low Scoville is an individual who holds low in
Experience openness to experience. It can be inferred from
the following instances

 his statement that “he was not impressed

with MBA’s especially those from
Harvard”.

 accepting the fact that he is corporate

misfit, but not making any efforts to
change himself in this regard.

 his depiction of his condescending

behavior when he suppresses Benton to
be in learning mode without any
questions/opinions of her own.

Conscientiousness Low  Scoville has a very bad management of

time and plans. This is clear from the
copying episode where he asks Benton
for copying works in last minute.

Extraversion Low  Scoville doesn’t get along with Benton

and other colleagues. He had
condescending behavior towards Lisa.

 During 3rd week, Benton used to feel

like a fifth wheel during meetings
because of incorrect treatment form
 Scoville and Linton

Agreeableness Low  In the copying episode, Scoville wanted

Benton to do some copying work for
him as he had made some last-minute
corrections on the marketing plan and
when she replied to do the work after a
while, he taunted her that she was good
for copying and making her feel
dejected.

 He was quite insensitive towards Benton

and asked to work extra time starting
from DAY 1 of her work.

 In the yelling episode, Scoville yelling

at Benton could be heard in entire floor
when the two were having argument on
a certain disagreement for analyses on
profit calculation figures

Neuroticism High He constantly reminded her to stay in learning

mode and suppressed her from presenting her
opinions in front of others
 Write your answer for Part B here.

1. She should have been assertive in a polite manner from the start itself so that she could
present her opinion Infront of others rather than being in learning mode always
2. She could have taken help from Scoville as mentor he has quite a number of years of
experience and also should emphasized the fact that she is not happy on copying part.

Question 3

Write your answer for Part A here.

This situation represents the Hidden Area or façade area of the Johari Window.

Write your answer for Part B here.

1. Lisa should have been more assertive about her contribution of opinions in staff
meetings rather than being in learning mode always.

2. Lisa and Linton both were quite ambitious women. Lisa should have been more vocal
about her core strengths, ambition, career growth with Linton. She should have
conversed with Linton about her ideas, and documented them over mail.

Question 4

Write your answer here.

 1. Linton should have given the negative feedback stating the context, examples, diagnosis and
action to improve instead of just stating an impression about her.

2. Linton should have given a fair chance to Lisa to put up her views and explain her part on
the same. When Lisa informed about Scoville’s patronizing behavior, instead of defending
him, she should have looked into the issue.

Question 5

Write your answer here.

Engagement Tactics:

 Recognize employees for a job done well by monetary and non-monetary rewards,
Provide incentives and perks to every engaged employee, On the spot recognition.
 Cognitive engagements such as Training sessions.
 Assign everyone the correct role.
 Encourage employees to speak their mind without any fear of criticism or judgement.
 Emotional engagement like developing a sense of affiliation among employees to keep
them connected.
 Provide a progress road map for the employees.

Question 6

Write your answer for Part A here.

 Lisa can improve her relationship with Linton and Scoville using certain power tactics.

Soft Tactics that Benton can use are:

 Persuasion: Try to influence Linton and Scoville using Logical arguments, personal
appeals, so that they could agree her point of view.

 Impression Management: Both Linton and Benton being ambitious, Benton should
have been more open and vocal about her ideas with her which could have created as
positive impression in Linton’s mind.

Write your answer for Part B here.

Hard Tactics that Benton can use are:

 Silent authority: Using legitimate power to influence someone. Jack Vernon was a
group manager who was quite impressed with Lisa. She could have told the truth to
him when he was concerned and approached her about her work. Jack being Boss of
Linton could her in persuading Linton and helped Lisa in this scenario.

 Assertiveness: Benton should have been assertive, firm and bold from day 1 in her
opinion and ideas rather than being suppressed as learner by Scoville.

Question 7
 Write your answer here.

Breach Of ethics by Lisa’s coworkers is Breach of fairness or justice approach.

When Benton complained Linton about Scoville she claimed that he is good person of heart
rather than listening to Benton’s version. Basically, she showed favoritism for Scoville.

Question 8

Write your answer here.

I would recommend that Benton remain in her current position at House world and
use the time as an opportunity to shine her abilities to manage her boss. Below are
the arguments to support the same.

 While Linton hasn’t showed much interest in helping Benton succeed at the
company, there could have been some improvements in their relationship if
Benton openly communicated her needs and expectations. On the few
occasions where Benton did express her expectations, she saw positive
results. For example, when Benton made clear to Scoville how she felt about
his behavior – after the typing incident and yelling incident – Scoville
apologized and admitted. Also, following her performance review, she asked
Linton to define responsibilities that were separate from Scoville’s and Linton
agreed. These successes are all characterized by open communication and
this is the area where Benton had the most opportunity to improve her
situation.
 Benton passively and incorrectly assumed that Linton had the same
expectations as Scoville and wanted her to act like a learner

 After speaking to both Vernon and Linton in the wake of the typing incident,
 Benton was “still not sure what she should do in future situations.” Rather than
deciding to simply follow Vernon’s advice, I would have encouraged Benton to
discuss best practices with both parties to prevent a future conflict. I definitely
believe that Benton was correct in emphasizing loyalty to her boss but in many
ways the job of a product manager is to facilitate this type of open discussion
and clarification of objectives. Similarly, when Vernon noticed she was
unhappy and encouraged Benton to express her concerns, she should have
been more vocal and forthcoming about her frustration rather than withholding
information from Vernon.

Overall, Benton’s interpersonal skills are excellent as evidenced by her successful

relationships with other staff at House world. However, a transition to a new
environment and especially challenging managers such as Linton and Scoville helped
reveal areas for improvement.